The science behind why some bosses bully … even their top employees

” … our earlier research shows that poor performers are likely to be the victims of bully bosses, our current research shows that high performers may also experience bullying when they’re supervised by bosses high in social dominance orientation. High performers represent a threat to supervisors who place a high value on their dominant position in the hierarchy. To such a boss, an up-and-coming subordinate who performs beyond expectations might replace them, supersede them, or garner some of the resources normally reserved for them, such as status, attention from higher-ups, or advancement opportunities.”